Diego Costa: Goals and individual achievements isn’t what really matters

Diego Costa, the reigning Premier League Player of the Month was once again the key man behind Chelsea’s victory over the weekend, scoring a wonderful individual effort to secure all three points against an annoyingly resilient West Bromwich Albion side.

The winning goal was Costa’s twelfth goal in fifteen league games, already matching his goals total from last season. In the past twelve months, he’s been directly involved in more goals than games he’s played (21 goals and 10 assists in 29 games since Boxing Day 2015). He’s been simply unstoppable.

It may have been the oldest player in the league whose mistake Costa took advantage of this time, but as Tony Pulis lamented after the game, Gareth McAuley has been solid and reliable all season despite his advancing years, which made his failure to clear the ball all the more surprising. Or we could chalk it up to Costa’s enterprise, his never say die attitude, and his perfect on-pitch embodiment of Conte’s work-fight-improve philosophy.

And yet, despite his individual achievements — he’s also been by far the highest rated player in our community ratings so far this season — all Costa wanted to talk about after the game was the team, the defense, and keeping our eyes on the prize.

“I’m in great form but it’s not the best I’ve ever played.”

“The best way to attack is to defend well first and we are doing it at the minute. They had a few chances at the start of the game but that was it. The team are very compact and well organised so that makes it easier when we attack.”

-Diego Costa; source: Chelsea FC

This week it was Fàbregas’s turn to translate for Diego in the post-match interview booth. The Chelsea striker then talked to ESPN Brasil as well, doubling down on the team-first attitude.

"Sincerely, if I had to choose at the end of the season, I'd choose the championship. What really matters is the title, not personal achievements. The group comes first."

"Obviously, if we become champions and I get to be the top goalscorer in a competition as hard as the Premier League it would be special. But my main objective is to help the team, so we can get the title."

-Diego Costa; source: ESPN Brasil

Costa has been in tremendous for all season. Long may that continue!